Security Guard Doen't Know His Carry

This is a discussion on Security Guard Doen't Know His Carry within the General Firearm Discussion forums, part of the Related Topics category; I was early for a meeting this morning so was killing time having a second breakfast. One of the private firm guards that provides government ...

Security Guard Doen't Know His Carry

I was early for a meeting this morning so was killing time having a second breakfast. One of the private firm guards that provides government facility security was sitting next to me so I asked him what his carry was?

"A .38"

"What model?"

"I don't know, it's just what they give us. The original owner got some kind of deal on .38's so that's what we get."

I suppose it's possible he was just blowing me off, but I got the distinct impression he really didn't know what he was carrying.

Its not unusual at all. I talked to a LEO at the range who was very surprised at how much larger my M1-A made by Springfield were than the M-14 made by Ruger he had in the trunk of his patrol car. It took me a while to figure out he was serious. Not everyone is a gun nut.

Yeah, just because someone's occupation requires possesing a firearm, that does not mean they are interested in guns on a personal level. Doing your homework on details of work equipment(Gun in this case) is not something most people do in spare time. If someone flips burgers for a living, Im sure they probably are not sure about the details of the grill they use or type of spatula they utilize. The only time this guy might even go to the range is in prep for his renewal of commission license.

Don't Knock The HU$TLE! When all else fails, I have a HU$TLER's Ambition! When the economy goes to crap, I will maintain and u wont! The hunger I have to survive, and your inability to handle the struggles we have ahead is what seperates you & I!

Yeah, just because someone's occupation requires possesing a firearm, that does not mean they are interested in guns on a personal level. Doing your homework on details of work equipment(Gun in this case) is not something most people do in spare time. If someone flips burgers for a living, Im sure they probably are not sure about the details of the grill they use or type of spatula they utilize. The only time this guy might even go to the range is in prep for his renewal of commission license.

People interested in guns are a different breed.

I don't know about that. In my line of work(technology), if you don't learn the tools of the trade, you fail at completing assigned responsibilities(which in some cases can very well lead to life and death situations) and you get canned. It's really a simple concept. Part of the guards responsibility clearly requires a potential for using deadly force so they were issued sidearms. Now, that means they have a tool.

The issue though, is that if they are expected to do their job, they need to know how the tools required for the job operate at a bare minimum. Now, if you don't even know what kind of tool you have, how the blasted heck are you supposed to know how to use it?

It's the same thing with vehicle mechanics. If I get the slightest inkling that the guy about to work on my vehicle isn't a gearhead...he ain't touching my vehicle with a 10' pole! He better damn well know what every single tool in that chest in his garage is and know how to use them as well.

"Sure, As long as the machines are workin' and you can call 911. But you take those things away, you throw people in the dark, and you scare the crap out of them; no more rules...You'll see how primitive they can get."

Yeah, just because someone's occupation requires possesing a firearm, that does not mean they are interested in guns on a personal level. Doing your homework on details of work equipment(Gun in this case) is not something most people do in spare time. If someone flips burgers for a living, Im sure they probably are not sure about the details of the grill they use or type of spatula they utilize. The only time this guy might even go to the range is in prep for his renewal of commission license.

People interested in guns are a different breed.

Agree, but at the very least, you should know the firearm you carry.

101 expectation IMHO. If I assigned a firearm to someone, I would require, in addition to other items, memorization of model, caliber, and firearm's serial number.

If you're into guns, it's easy to state folks should know the nomenclature of the weapon they are carrying. Many don't, as many carpenters don't know the brand of the hammer they use. They carry a firearm because the contract requires it and they shoot minimally.

For guards who are non-types, they qualify with a revolver or pistol, get BASIC instruction that is required per the contract and it becomes their 'hammer'. Ask a guard carrying a revolver if it's a Colt or Smith and you'll probably get the 1000 yard stare. Not all, but alot.

Of course, I've seen LEOs I've worked with open the revolver cylinder and the bullets were green and moldy in the cylinder.

Go to any PD that carries autos and watch a FTF drill. Can be downright scary. Again, depends on your point of view.

Please don't equate security guards with carpenters. Almost every carpenter I have known knows exactly which hammer he uses, and has a strong opinion on why it's the best (sound familiar?). Unskilled labors on the other hand do not know, other than it was the cheapest at the store. Security guards are nothing more than unskilled labor, most of the time.

Please don't equate security guards with carpenters. Almost every carpenter I have known knows exactly which hammer he uses, and has a strong opinion on why it's the best (sound familiar?). Unskilled labors on the other hand do not know, other than it was the cheapest at the store. Security guards are nothing more than unskilled labor, most of the time.

Agreed, but am I the only one that really sees that as a problem? I mean really? We're talking about "Guards" that we arm. One would think we wouldn't want to be arming up "unskilled labor" in the hopes that in the event that they actually have to use that tool that they accidentally miss the innocent bystanders and hit the BG?

"Sure, As long as the machines are workin' and you can call 911. But you take those things away, you throw people in the dark, and you scare the crap out of them; no more rules...You'll see how primitive they can get."

Agreed, but am I the only one that really sees that as a problem? I mean really? We're talking about "Guards" that we arm. One would think we wouldn't want to be arming up "unskilled labor" in the hopes that in the event that they actually have to use that tool that they accidentally miss the innocent bystanders and hit the BG?

LOL, actually this is no worse then giving out how many thousands of CC Permits to unskilled shooters who went to a class and then shot at a targer what 10 yards away one time and now they carry a weapon around under their sleeve, coat or on their hips/belt or hidden wherever. The 10 yard comment is sarcasm, I don't know every states CCP Program, but I'm sure 99% of them are not more then 12 - 16 hours with only a 1 time shoot.

I don't know about that. In my line of work(technology), if you don't learn the tools of the trade, you fail at completing assigned responsibilities(which in some cases can very well lead to life and death situations) and you get canned. It's really a simple concept. Part of the guards responsibility clearly requires a potential for using deadly force so they were issued sidearms. Now, that means they have a tool.

The issue though, is that if they are expected to do their job, they need to know how the tools required for the job operate at a bare minimum. Now, if you don't even know what kind of tool you have, how the blasted heck are you supposed to know how to use it?

It's the same thing with vehicle mechanics. If I get the slightest inkling that the guy about to work on my vehicle isn't a gearhead...he ain't touching my vehicle with a 10' pole! He better damn well know what every single tool in that chest in his garage is and know how to use them as well.

As for the burger flipping...well, that speaks for itself.

I really HATE stupid people.

I understand what you mean about needing to know how some of your tools of the trade work. The burger flipper knows how the spatula & grill work, clean them both, and how to use them proficiently. The question was about knowing the details of which type of tool he was carrying. He just knows its a .38 was his response. He didn't say he didnt know how to maintain his firearm or know how to shoot it accurately. He just does not care to know too much about specifics that gun lovers would know. His whole career may pass without ever drawing the weapon to fire it. Police Officers are in a lot more critical situations everyday and some never draw weapons. Its reasonable to assume he is a lot less likely to need to use his sidearm than an officer of the law will. There for his knowledge & proficiency with the designated firearm is likely to be less. Especially if he does not carry a firearm legally off duty as well.

You know the type of things that you have to know to do your job correctly. Knowing the exact model of a firearm is not required for him to protect the property & clients that he is assigned to. His mind is more of the weapon of choice he needs to use in order to make the right decisions to handle situations he encounters. Technical positions are a different cup of tea from the type of position this guy has. If you or say a Mechanic are building things or fixing things for people then the tools you use to do so are gonna be a lot more critical to your job on a daily basis. You use them everyday or more regularly than the officer would ever use his firearm. Like I said before he may only ever shoot his weapon for practice to to keep up ability to renew license.

I get your point that he should know the minimum. IMO, the minimum info to do his job is not whether he knows he is using a Colt model or Smith & wesson model ******** firearm. I would only care that he keeps it maintained, has good understanding of when its time to use it, & is he accurate with it.

Sure I'd want my mechanic to know his way around a tool box & vehicles. He will be utilizing the tools to fix my car. The brand of the tool or model specifics are not important for him to know. As long as he can use the tool to do the job right, thats all I would care about. Not his knowledge of irrelevant specifics not related to my specific issue. Would you care if he knows the specifics of a sidearm if he were in position to protect your life, or would you just be relieved that he knows how to protect you? The most important this is the knowledge of how to use the tools of the trade to do the specific job.

Don't Knock The HU$TLE! When all else fails, I have a HU$TLER's Ambition! When the economy goes to crap, I will maintain and u wont! The hunger I have to survive, and your inability to handle the struggles we have ahead is what seperates you & I!